Introduction
The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a 36-item self-report scale that assesses clinically relevant difficulties in emotion regulation. Kim L. Gratz and Lizabeth Roemer published it in 2004 to measure these difficulties more comprehensively than earlier tools. Its six subscales produce a differentiated profile, and the original study has received more than 16,800 citations.
The study appeared in the Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment. This guide explains the six DERS subscales, the scoring and reverse-scored items, the psychometric evidence and the shorter versions that followed.
Key Features of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Purpose and Use
The developers designed the DERS to assess difficulties in emotion regulation among adults more comprehensively than existing measures. It captures several abilities:
Awareness, understanding and acceptance of emotionsEngaging in goal-directed behavior when distressedRefraining from impulsive behavior when distressedAccess to regulation strategies perceived as effectiveTarget Population
The DERS is intended for people aged 13 and older. However, the original development study used undergraduate student samples.
Structure
The final DERS contains 36 items. The initial version had 41 items; the developers omitted item 13 and then deleted items 2, 11, 18 and 36 after the first factor analysis. The remaining items form six factor-derived subscales:
Subscale
What it captures
Nonacceptance
Negative secondary reactions to one's own distress
Goals
Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks when upset
Impulse
Difficulty controlling behavior when upset
Awareness
Inattention to emotional responses
Strategies
The belief that little can be done to regulate emotions once upset
Clarity
Lack of clarity about the emotions experienced
Scoring Method
Respondents rate how often each item applies to them on a 5-point scale:
1 = almost never (0–10%)2 = sometimes (11–35%)3 = about half the time (36–65%)4 = most of the time (66–90%)5 = almost always (91–100%)Some items are reverse-scored, including the Awareness items and Clarity items 1 and 8, so that higher scores always mean greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The DERS yields an overall score and six subscale scores. The article does not state the total range explicitly, but 36 items scored 1–5 give a total of 36 to 180.
Administration Format
The DERS is a self-report scale, so respondents complete it themselves by rating how often each statement applies to them.
Applications of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
The DERS supports several research and clinical uses:
Emotion regulation profiles: describing difficulties across six subscales rather than with a single score.Research on dysregulation: studying emotion dysregulation, experiential avoidance and deliberate self-harm.Psychological assessment: identifying areas of emotion regulation difficulty to explore further.Reliability and Validity
In the original development study, the DERS showed high internal consistency (α = .93). It also provided supportive evidence of construct and predictive validity in undergraduate samples.
Validation studies:
Multidimensional assessment of emotion regulation and dysregulation: development, factor structure, and initial validation of the DERS (2004): study linkLimitations and Considerations
Keep these points in mind when using the DERS:
Small test–retest sample: the test–retest evidence came from a small sample.No cut-off scores: no cut-off scores are reported.Clinical populations: the original study did not establish validity in clinical populations.Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
Several shorter versions of the DERS exist:
DERS-16DERS-18DERS-SF (Short Form): see the ResRef DERS-SF guideIn addition, these questionnaires are similar or complementary:
Generalized Expectancy for Negative Mood Regulation Scale (NMR)Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS)Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ)Emotional Expressivity Scale (EES)Additional Resources
The original article: linkFor inquiries, contact Kim L. Gratz at klgratz@aol.com. The postal address in the article is McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478.Browse more psychiatry questionnaires in the ResRef database.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the DERS measure?The DERS measures difficulties in emotion regulation across six subscales: nonacceptance of emotions, goal-directed behavior, impulse control, emotional awareness, access to strategies and emotional clarity.
How is the DERS scored?Items are rated from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always). After reverse-scoring the relevant items, higher scores mean greater difficulty; the 36 items give a total of 36 to 180.
Does the DERS have a cut-off score?No. The original study did not report cut-off scores, so the DERS describes the level and pattern of difficulties rather than classifying respondents.
Is there a short version of the DERS?Yes. Shorter versions include the DERS-16, the DERS-18 and the 18-item DERS-SF, which keeps all six subscales with three items each.
A Word from ResRef About the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
The DERS is a self-report scale for assessing multidimensional difficulties in emotion regulation in adults, and its six subscales allow a differentiated profile rather than a single score. In the original development study it showed high internal consistency (α = .93) and supportive construct and predictive validity evidence in undergraduate samples. Caution is advised because the test–retest sample was small, no cut-off scores are reported, and validity in clinical populations was not established in the original study.
References
Gratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26(1), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:joba.0000007455.08539.94